GLOUCESTER, Mass. – The American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) has announced the finalists for the 2025-26 Division III Laura Hurd Player of the Year, with Megan Goodreau and Sophia Hess of UW-River Falls among those selected.

The 2025-26 WIAC Player of the Year and an All-WIAC First Team selection, Goodreau leads all NCAA Division III skaters with 74 points on 36 goals and 38 assists through 28 games. Hess, the WIAC Newcomer of the Year and an All-WIAC First Team selection, ranks second behind Goodreau with 56 points off 26 goals and 30 assists.

The finalists, six of whom will compete in this weekend's NCAA Quarterfinal Round, were chosen by the nation's Division III head coaches in a preliminary vote conducted earlier this week. The Hurd Award honors the legacy of former Elmira College standout Laura Hurd, a four-time All-American and the 2005 AHCA Player of the Year who passed away in an automobile accident shortly after graduation. This year's recipient will be announced during next week's NCAA Frozen Four.

A native of Lino Lakes, Minn., Megan Goodreau has put together one of the most historic seasons in program and conference history. In a 6-3 win over UW-Eau Claire on Feb. 21 that clinched the WIAC regular season title, she became UW-River Falls' all-time leading scorer, surpassing former Hurd Award winner Callie Hoff. She also became just the third student-athlete in NCAA Division III women's hockey history to reach the 200-career-point milestone.

Goodreau's 74 points and 36 goals both rank first nationally this season and set single-season records for UW-River Falls and the WIAC. She has also set program and conference records with 17 power-play goals, a total tied for the NCAA Division III single-season record.

Sophia Hess of Cold Spring, Minn., is the top-scoring freshman in NCAA Division III and ranks second in scoring behind her line-mate, Goodreau. While playing in all 28 games this season, she ranks second on the team in nearly every statistical category, behind Goodreau, which includes six power play goals, two game-winners, and a pair of hat-tricks. Was was named the Panther/Cardinal Classic Tournament MVP after scoring the game-winning goal against Endicott in the championship game on Nov. 30.

UW-River Falls has produced four previous Laura Hurd Player of the Year recipients, Bailey Olson (2025), Maddie McCollins (2024), Callie Hoff (2022) and Dani Sibley (2017).

The Falcons open NCAA Tournament play on Saturday, March 21, hosting Williams College in the Division III Quarterfinals. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. at Hunt Arena.